177 Days of War in Ukraine
We are less than one week from starting the seventh month of the war in Ukraine. My local paper today had articles about Ukrainian people fleeing the Kherson region, young people near the front lines plagued by loneliness and stress, and how six months living in a Russian detention center has been a horrible existence.
Part of my news today is Vika Konchakovska and Sergii Golubnychi arrived safely on Monday night. It is hard to express how overjoyed I am to see them and have them here with us for their participation in the Ukrainian Ballet Benefit on August 27 in Orlando. On Tuesday, as we drove from one location to another, completing errands for them, Vika said, “It is very hard for me to believe I am here in Florida. It feels like a dream.” Sergii shared the same sentiment because two weeks ago they were still thinking this trip might not work out for them. I cannot stop smiling every time I see them.
They have started their separate rehearsals, but yesterday, we got to spend some time with former MMK Executive Marc McMurrin, who is coordinating this huge event on August 27. Vika and Sergii asked pertinent questions about schedules and personalities, and Marc continued to share how everything is unfolding in ways that only God can be credited for working out. Marc spent six plus hours in the hospital emergency room with one of the Ukrainian ballerinas experiencing abdominal pain. Ultimately, she was cleared to return to the hotel with a clean bill of health. We are thanking God she is back at rehearsals today.
Today, after morning rehearsals, I drove Vika and Sergii to a special lunch reunion with former MMK staff, Ronnie S. and Deborah B., and MMK Board member, Denise M. Even though we are all stressed by the war, our time at lunch was filled with many smiles and great laughter. We all recognized how our hearts are knitted together through our relationships, some of which are more than fifteen years in length. The picture shows Bradley, Sergii, Vika, and Greg.
Vika had prepared our Kyiv staff to handle the widow’s Bible study and food voucher distribution on Thursday in her absence. Lena Sagun taught the Bible lesson through Zoom and we had a good attendance with many of our widows and pensioners. Many thanks to Viktoriia R., Valentina, Sasha, Ruslan, Igor, and Sergei K for making this run smoothly while Vika K. is here in the states.
You can see some of the team at work on Thursday.
Today we had several interviews with new candidates for our widow’s program. Two of our new participants are seen in this picture taken today with Pastor Ruslan (left) and Serhiy (right). The 2 other new candidates can be seen with Pastor Ruslan, Viktoriia, and Serhiy welcoming them to our widow’s program.
The final big news from today is our first meeting with the parents of autistic children. Through a partnership with a church here in the USA, we have a focused outreach to these families and the many challenges they face. Pastor Ruslan hosted the families at our offices. The difficulties the families face only increased during the time of war.
Thank you for all you do to help us reach out and build relationships and provide aid to the amazing women, men, and children in Kyiv and Ukraine.
Pray
Pray for the upcoming national holidays in Ukraine on Aug. 23 (Flag Day) and Aug. 24 (Independence Day) to be safe from Russian retaliation for propaganda.
For the widows and pensioners to remain safe and healthy.
For our staff and families separated from us and living in Europe.
For all of our staff’s families going through health issues.
For the staff in Kyiv as they pick up Vika’s work while she is in the US.
For the growing number of wounded soldiers and civilians being treated in Kyiv.
For the upcoming Ukrainian Ballet Benefit on Aug. 27 to bring aid to Ukraine and give exposure to MMK for our work in Ukraine.
Give
ONLINE: You can give online to musicmissionkiev.org
CALL: You can still call our U.S. office and donate with your credit card. Our office phone number is 407-699-7172.
CHECK: Send a check payable to Music Mission Kiev, PO Box 161849, Altamonte Springs, FL 32716.
Contact
Please take the time to contact your government officials. Remind them we need to do more, and we need to do it now.
Greg
CEO | Music Mission Kiev